Treatment with K6PC-5, a selective stimulator of SPHK1, ameliorates intestinal homeostasis in an animal model of Huntington's disease

Emerging evidence indicates that Huntington's disease (HD) may be described as multi-organ pathology. In this context, we and others have contributed to demonstrate that the disease is characterized by an impairment of the homeostasis of gastro-intestinal (GI) tract. Sphingolipids represent a class of molecules involved in the regulation and maintenance of different tissues and organs including GI system. In this study, we investigated whether the alteration of Sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P) metabolism, previously described in human HD brains and animal models, is also detectable peripherally in R6/2 HD mice. Our findings indicate, for the first time, that sphingolipid metabolism is perturbed early in the disease in the intestinal tract of HD mice and, its modulation by K6PC-5, a selective activator of S1P synthesis, preserved intestinal integrity and homeostasis. These results further support the evidence that modulation of sphingolipid pathways may represent a potential therapeutic option in HD and suggest that it has also the potential to counteract the peripheral disturbances which may usually complicate the management of the disease and affect patient's quality of life.

Curcumin dietary supplementation ameliorates disease phenotype in an animal model of Huntington's disease

Huntington's disease (HD) has traditionally been described as a disorder purely of the brain; however, evidence indicates that peripheral abnormalities are also commonly seen. Among others, severe unintended body weight loss represents a prevalent and often debilitating feature of HD pathology, with no therapies available. It correlates with disease progression and significantly affects the quality of life of HD patients. Curcumin, a naturally occurring polyphenol with multiple therapeutic properties, has been validated to exert important beneficial effects under health conditions as well as in different pathological settings, including neurodegenerative and gastrointestinal (GI) disorders. Here, we investigated the potential therapeutic action that curcumin-supplemented diet may exert on central and peripheral dysfunctions in R6/2 mice, a well-characterized HD animal model which recapitulates some features of human pathology. Maintenance of normal motor function, protection from neuropathology and from GI dysfunction and preservation of GI emptying and conserved intestinal contractility, proved the beneficial role of life-long dietary curcumin in HD and corroborated the potential of the compound to be exploited to alleviate very debilitating symptoms associated with the disease.

MRI measures of corpus callosum iron and myelin in early Huntington's disease

Increased iron in subcortical gray matter (GM) structures of patients with Huntington's disease (HD) has been suggested as a causal factor in neuronal degeneration. But how iron content is related to white matter (WM) changes in HD is still unknown. For example, it is not clear whether WM changes share the same physiopathology (i.e. iron accumulation) with GM or whether there is a different mechanism. The present study used MRI to examine iron content in premanifest gene carriers (PreHD, n = 25) and in early HD patients (n = 25) compared with healthy controls (n = 50). 3T MRI acquisitions included high resolution 3D T1, EPI sequences for diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) as an indirect measure of tissue integrity, and T2*-weighted gradient echo-planar imaging for MR-based relaxometry (R2*), which provides an indirect measure of ferritin/iron deposition in the brain. Myelin breakdown starts in the PreHD stage, but there is no difference in iron content values. Iron content reduction manifests later, in the early HD stage, in which we found a lower R2* parameter value in the isthmus. The WM iron reduction in HD is temporally well-defined (no iron differences in PreHD subjects and iron differences only in early HD patients). Iron level in callosal WM may be regarded as a marker of disease state, as iron does not differentiate PreHD subjects from controls but distinguishes between PreHD and HD.

The Corticospinal Tract in Huntington's Disease

Huntington's disease (HD) is characterized by progressive motor impairment. Therefore, the connectivity of the corticospinal tract (CST), which is the main white matter (WM) pathway that conducts motor impulses from the primary motor cortex to the spinal cord, merits particular attention. WM abnormalities have already been shown in presymptomatic (Pre-HD) and symptomatic HD subjects using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). In the present study, we examined CST microstructure using diffusion tensor imaging (DTI)-based tractography in 30-direction DTI data collected from 100 subjects: Pre-HD subjects (n = 25), HD patients (n = 25) and control subjects (n = 50), and T2*-weighted (iron sensitive) imaging. Results show decreased fractional anisotropy (FA) and increased axial (AD), and radial diffusivity (RD) in the bilateral CST of HD patients. Pre-HD subjects had elevated iron in the left CST, regionally localized between the brainstem and thalamus. CAG repeat length in conjunction with age, as well as motor (UHDRS) assessment were correlated with CST FA, AD, and RD both in Pre-HD and HD. In the presymptomatic phase, increased iron in the inferior portion supports the "dying back" hypothesis that axonal damage advances in a retrograde fashion. Furthermore, early iron alteration may cause a high level of toxicity, which may contribute to further damage.

ZPLD1 gene is disrupted in a patient with balanced translocation that exhibits cerebral cavernous malformations

The past few years have seen rapid advances in our understanding of the genetics and molecular biology of cerebral cavernous malformations (CCM) with the identification of the CCM1, CCM2, and CCM3 genes. Recently, we have recruited a patient with an X/3 balanced translocation that exhibits CCM. By fluorescent in situ hybridization analysis, sequence analysis tools and database mining procedures, we refined the critical region to an interval of 200-kb and identified the interrupted ZPLD1 gene. We detected that the mRNA expression level of ZPLD1 gene is consistently decreased 2.5-fold versus control (P=0.0006) with allelic loss of gene expression suggesting that this protein may be part of the complex signaling pathway implicated in CCM formation.

[Role of EUS in a diagnostic and staging algorithm of pancreatic carcinoma: the surgeon point of view]

Survival of pancreatic cancer is improved by surgery and is related to R0 resection. An accurate diagnosis and a careful staging are mandatory. Differential diagnosis must be estabilished between the different pancreatic lesions as carcinoma, chronic pancreatitis, cystic or endocrine neoplasms. Endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) is the best technique for diagnosis and allows cytological examination by fine needle aspiration (FNA). Preoperative resectability is defined by EUS in borderline tumors. EUS is a useful procedure for the surgical strategy of pancreatic cancer.

Laparoscopic repair of Morgagni hernia and cholecystectomy in a 40-year-old male with Down's sindrome. Report of a case

Morgagni-Larrey hernia (MH) is an unusual diaphragmatic hernia of the retrosternal region. Few cases of MH, treated laparoscopically, associated with Down's syndrome (DS) have been reported in literature. On October 2004, a DS 40-year-old male was admitted to our Department with mild abdominal pain and nausea. Hematochemical tests were within the normal range. Ultrasonography showed biliary sludge and multiple gallstones. Chest X-ray revealed a right-sided paracardiac mass that appeared as MH after a thoraco-abdominal computed tomography (CT). Four trocars were placed as a routinary cholecystectomy. Abdominal exploration confirmed the presence of a voluminous hernia through a wide diaphragmatic defect (12 cm) on the left side of the falciform ligament, containing the last 20 cm ileal loops and right colon with the third lateral of transverse. After retrograde cholecystectomy and reduction of the herniated ileo-colonic tract from multiple adherences, the defect was repaired with an interrupted 2/0 silk suture and then a running 2/0 polypropylene suture. Postoperative course was complicated by pulmonary edema but subsequently the patient was discharged without further complications and has no recurrence after 2 years. In conclusion, surgery is necessary for symptomatic MH and to prevent possible severe complications. We preferred laparoscopy for the reduced morbidity compared to laparotomy, even if in our case the postoperative course was not uneventful. There are still few comparative data about the modality of closure of the defect between primary repair with nonabsorbable suture material, in case of small defects, or continuous monofilament suture or prosthesis in case of large defects.

Adenosine A2A receptor dysfunction correlates with age at onset anticipation in blood platelets of subjects with Huntington's disease

Huntington's disease (HD) may manifest at an earlier age in affected offspring than in transmitting parents. Earlier onset in successive generations (anticipation) only partially depends on intergenerational parent-child elongation of the CAG expanded mutation. An aberrant amplification of adenosine A(2A) receptor signaling documented in peripheral blood cells of subjects with HD implies that this cellular dysfunction may be related to clinical and genetic features. Prompted by evidence of higher receptor densities in siblings of HD subjects with stronger onset anticipation, in this study we investigated a possible relationship between A(2A) receptor densities and age at onset. We measured adenosine A(2A) receptor densities in blood cell platelets from 32 patients with HD and healthy control siblings, and sought a possible linear correlation between maximum platelet A(2A) receptor binding (B(max)) values for the whole cohort of HD subjects and anticipation in years. The increased B(max) values for the 32 subjects with HD (220 in patients vs. 137 in healthy control subjects, P = 0.0001) correlated significantly with anticipation in years (r2, 0.48, P = 0.0001 by linear correlation analysis). An increased platelet A(2A) receptor B(max) may belong in a cascade of toxic events leading to earlier onset of HD: as such it could be a useful marker of onset anticipation.

Italian Huntington disease patients--data and tissue bank

We have collected clinical and genetic data on Huntington disease (HD) patients and their families over the last 5 years at the Unit of Neurogenetics, IRCCS Neuromed of Pozzilli (IS), Italy. Data on 854 mutation carriers are included in the data bank, together with a large number of DNA samples, blood, and other tissues. In particular, lymphoblastoid cell lines from 100 patients, including subjects carrying very rare genetic conditions (CAG mutation homozygosity, juvenile and infantile onset, pre-mutations) have been established. For all these initiatives ethical approval from the bioethics committee was obtained. We wish to extend this initiative to all families, investigators, and institutions within and, possibly outside, the Italian border in an attempt to enlarge the bank and to institute a HD Research Roster.

Onset and pre-onset studies to define the Huntington's disease natural history

Huntington's disease's (HD) clinical history has not been defined yet. However, many aspects of the most confusing clinical stages, i.e., the first and last disease phases, including the symptom progression and the disease duration, have been better approached after discovery of the responsible gene. The existence of accurate genetic tests, available for affected and pre-symptomatic subjects (i.e., mutation carriers) and the possibility to study transgenic in vivo models, are actually helping us to understand some of the aspects of HD clinical presentation. HD may present with motor symptoms other than chorea, the psychiatric manifestations may represent part of the clinical picture and cognitive deterioration may occur very early in the disease and depend on early cortical involvement. Pre-onset studies are of crucial importance in understanding the temporal sequence of the clinical events. This is also very important for future therapeutic strategies in those diseases initiating late in the life, such as HD.

Cavernous angiomas of the nervous system in Italy: clinical and genetic study

We performed a clinical and genetic study of patients affected by cavernous angiomas (CA) of the nervous system. We examined initial signs and symptoms in sporadic and familial cases. We obtained clinical, neuroimaging and genetic data on 15 Italian patients with CA of the nervous system with positive, doubtful or apparently negative family history. Genetic markers surrounding three different gene regions (7q, 3q and 7p) were analysed. In one small family, genetic linkage was consistent with all chromosome loci. In another family with the unusual association of cerebral and spinal CA, linkage with chromosome 7q and, likely, 7p was excluded, while linkage with locus 3q was possible. Our results indicate that Italian families with CA may show genetic heterogeneity. Non-specific and subtle onset symptoms hide the presence of CA within families. Patients with multiple CA may have silent cerebral lesions confirming the low penetrance of clinical signs in spite of radiological ones.